UCU STRIKE INFO FOR

EDINBURGH UNI STUDENTS

What is happening?
University workers are striking – this includes lecturers,
tutors, librarians, technicians, administrators and other
university staff. This means classes will be cancelled and
other university functions will be shut down.

When is this happening?

Full strike action: November 24th, 25th, 30th
Action short of a strike (ASOS): November 23rd
More dates in semester 2.
 What is the UCU?
What is their role in the strike
action?
The University and College Union (or UCU) is the trade union that
represents me alongside over 130,000 university workers in the UK.
On 24 October, the UCU announced the
results of a nationwide ballot of members on possible future industrial
action. Members voted to support strike action by an overwhelming
majority, based on a historically high voter turnout. This gives the UCU a
mandate to deliver strike action across the UK.
The UCU have now called on vice chancellors to immediately enter
negotiations and make improved offers to avoid strike action, which is a
measure of last resort.
We recognise that the quality of the student learning experience is
already badly affected by the problems the strike aims to address such as
low pay, overwork and precarity. Since we have not been able to achieve
meaningful dialogue or change any other way, we now believe that
 WHY ARE STAFF STRIKING?
PAY – In real terms, University staff pay has
dropped 25% since 2009. We are asking for
a pay rise that reflects inflation.

PAY EQUALITY – We want the University of

Edinburgh, and the wider university sector,
to commit to action to tackle gender, race
and disability pay gaps.

Did you know the gender pay gap at the

University of Edinburgh is 16%*
*Based on average pay. For more info see Equal Pay Audit 2021. Adapted from https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12469/FAQ
PENSIONS – Our pension benefits were massively reduced in 2020. An
independent review now shows our pensions could be restored while
keeping the pension fund in surplus.

WORKLOAD - Overwork is endemic across higher education. On

average academic staff work 51.3 FTE hours per week, equal to
working 2 unpaid days every week. Staff on fractional contracts can
be working 2-3x the hours they are paid for each week. (See
UCU's 2021 workload survey June 2022)

CASUALISATION - 50% of all academic staff at Edinburgh Uni are on

fixed-term contracts*, so non-permanent positions. UCU's research
shows 42% of staff on casual contracts struggled to pay household
bills. Casualisation exacerbates gender and race inequality as women
and BAME academics are more likely to be on fixed-term contracts.
(See UCU Precarious Work Report, Oct 2021.)
You can find lots more information about UCU’s disputes
on working conditions and pensions here.
HOW CAN STUDENTS SUPPORT
THE STRIKE?
1) Come to our picket lines! Details will be on our Twitter
@ucuedinburgh
2) Contact university management (principal@ed.ac.uk) to tell them
you support staff and their demands.
3) Follow the Student Staff Solidarity Network (SSSN) and attend
their strikes talk on Tues 22 Nov at 5-7pm, LG.11 40 George Square.
4) Talk to your UCU local contact – there’s one for almost every
subject area in Edinburgh Uni, you can get a full list here.

For more information on how to support, check out:

www.ucu.org.uk/supportthestrikes